PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD has been manifested by symptoms that are the equivalent of occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. Total occupational and social impairment has not been shown.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including keloid scars, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD), a right shoulder disability, a left shoulder disability, and a cervical spine disability. The evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim regarding keloid scars, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for any of the other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's claims and the need to clarify whether the claimed stressors occurred during service.

The Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The VA examiner found no evidence of PTSD and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 1, 2007. The VA Board found that the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but denied the Veteran's claims for PTSD, chronic sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of both feet. The temporary 100 percent evaluation based on convalescence due to surgery of the cervical spine in 2008 is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for PTSD prior to November 1, 2005 and from November 1, 2005 to December 17, 2007 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 1, 2005 or a rating in excess of 50 percent from November 1, 2005 to December 17, 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sacrum strain disability, thoracic strain disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder), and seizure disorder. The evidence submitted since the last final denial does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD and depression have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent rating for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and depression, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not establish a diagnosis of chronic PTSD related to an incident during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, was not supported by evidence and denied the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination and additional relevant treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorders and TBI.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's PTSD associated with panic attacks, depression, and alcohol abuse is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are representative of reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD and notification on how to substantiate a claim for TDIU.